In English the skills assessed are: locating information, inferring, predicting, drawing conclusions and reasoning. Students are not asked merely to retrieve information from a passage; they are asked to make inferences, form judgements and reflect on the texts. Questions addressing higher-order thinking skills are used to ascertain whether a student can 'read between the lines' and understand subtlety and nuance in the English language.

Assessed English strands

In Mathematics the skills assessed include interpreting data, inferring, predicting, drawing conclusions, reasoning and problem solving. For Mathematics questions, students are asked to make sense of mathematical concepts in everyday situations. IBT Mathematics is not about simply remembering rules and procedures; it requires students to use higher-order thinking skills to apply their mathematical skills to solve problems.

Assessed Mathematics strands

In Science the skills assessed include: observing and measuring, interpreting data, inferring, predicting, drawing conclusions, reasoning and problem solving. Students are asked to apply scientific principles to particular problems. IBT Science not only assesses students' knowledge of science, it assesses whether students are capable of applying this knowledge to given contexts. Many of the questions are based on scientific enquiry.

Assessed Science strands

In Reasoning, the skills assessed require students to think critically, make logical deductions, identify connections and spot patterns. The questions asked do not require any prior knowledge from any particular content area. Instead, students must demonstrate their abilities to think outside the box and use their higher-order thinks skills to solve non-routine problems. The content of these test papers is based on questions that have been successfully used to identify high-achieving students for scholarship placements. However, students who do not perform so well on ‘traditional’ academic tests may excel on IBT Reasoning as it is their general capabilities that are being assessed here.

Assessed Reasoning strands

The IBT Arabic Language tests are designed to assess proficiency in Arabic Reading, Grammar, Spelling and Vocabulary through multiple-choice questions in response to a variety of texts and situations. The tests offer students and schools the opportunity to participate in a standardised Arabic assessment which can provide comprehensive diagnostic feedback and benchmark performance against other schools in the region.

The tests are divided into two distinct categories to cater for both native and non-native speakers within the school community.

Arabic A tests (Native Arabic speakers)

Designed for native Arabic speakers who are following the Arabic A option provided by private English schools

Suitable for Grades 4 - 9

Arabic B tests (non-native Arabic speakers)

Developed for non-native Arabic speakers

Designed in levels corresponding to the number of years the students have studied Arabic B